Ouch!

"Father, I promise, I won't loiter around Europe. I'm going there to have a few weeks of vacation. I will not need any bodyguards or even Jin. I need a time for myself before you get me engaged to Haden next year."

"Ha Jae Kyung, I won't allow you to leave without Jin. You might get yourself into trouble. The Hanagawas' are expecting the engagement so I better present you perfectly whole to them."

She felt her heart being crushed again with how her father had addressed her about the marriage of convenience. Jae Kyung knew that she’d be having a similar ending like the rest of the sons and daughters of any of the Conglomerate clans. But even so, she wanted to try being free, and experience the spell of love like normal people do. It would always hurt her more, that her family was the one pushing her to the edge. Knowing that she had no choice, Ha Jae Kyung had accepted her future long before, and now what she wanted was just a taste of freedom before chaining herself on that planned-forced future.

"I promise I won't go missing. And even if I do, I'm sure you will not have a hard time looking for me. Father... just this time. Please let me go. Alone."

…

A few days had passed and here she was continuing her previously set aside tasks. She would have a good deal of time to finish it tomorrow, but it's better to finish some sooner. She had to make herself busy so that she wouldn't feel lonely and alone. Woobin had not visited her for three days while Jandi and Jiho went to the countryside for a medical mission; she wanted to come with them but they have to leave earlier. Gaeul had nothing else to do, but settle herself on the carpet in the living room to continue her project. It had also been days since she last saw Yi Jeong, the last time she saw him was when they had an evening snack at his studio. Even though he had sent her messages and ask her about how she's doing, Gaeul couldn't help but to feel gloomy without him. Did she suddenly miss him or something?

"ANI!" She mentally smacked herself of the idea. But...

'Strong denial is an affirmation' - Chu Gaeul.

The infamous citation had been indeed from her it's just that she couldn't remember it. Shaking her head, she focused her attention back on her task.

Despite the fact that classes were canceled for the whole afternoon, she was still packed on doing the last evaluation and polishing of her project. Her first photo catalog was granted with high regards and was being processed as a part of an exhibit soon. Because of that, she was on for making another portfolio, which she would pass next week. And given the fact that she had so many miscellaneous activities around the corner, Gaeul made it sure to settle things with deadline ahead of time, so she could alter or improve anything beforehand.

A knock on the door stole her attention. Slowly, she rose from the carpet where she was previously seated. "A moment please."

Gaeul’s hurried steps were heard behind the door. "A moment please." He heard her called out before the door went open, he smiled.

"Junpyo Sunbae? Hello!" Looking a little surprise at his visit, Gaeul managed to give him a bright smile. "Sunbae, come in." She offered and he gladly went in. "But Junpyo Sunbae, Jandi is not yet here."

"I know that, Princess.'' He answered her as he flopped down the couch. He picked some pictures placed on top of the table and began checking it one by one.

"Oh? Ah... by the way, is coffee okay Sunbae?" It was a little strange to have Junpyo coming alone on the patio without Jandi with him. But she just shrugged the idea off and offered him something.

"No, it’s fine, Princess, I actually went to check up on you."

"Gaeul, Sunbae just call me Gaeul, please? And thank you for coming just to check on me. I'm doing well, Sunbae." She smiled at him gratefully.

"Why call you Gaeul again after we've been calling you 'Princess' for years now. I'm used to it already." Junpyo argued making Gaeul roll her eyes and smile lightly. Her Sunbae would always be stubborn no matter what.

Why? Because you look weird calling me that Sunbae… funny and weird at the same time. She thought evilly.

"And I'm glad that you're fine but I also went to get something." Junpyo continued.

She wrinkled her nose. "Oh? Get something? What is it then?"

"My my... Don't tell me you forgot about the photo spread of my previous charity event? I'm guessing you forgot to hand me that last week when you called that it's done already."

"Ah, that!” She instantly clapped her hand. “Wait Sunbae, I'll go get it in my room." Gaeul said and dashed to her room. A few minutes later, she went back in the living room with a portfolio.

"Here it is Sunbae. And I'm sorry that I forgot handling this for you."

"That will never be a problem. I can always send anyone to have this fetch anytime. I merely went to see if you're doing well after Yi Jeong's return. And I can see that you look fine.” He grinned at her sheepishly. “Anyways, what if you just take a rest next Sunday? I think Jandi can manage the charity work on her own by then and you can have some time for yourself."

"No. Junpyo Sunbae, I'm really fine and I really want to help on Sunday. And I also promised you and Jandi about that, right? I already made plans for the event, I just can't withdraw." Gaeul shook her head as she argued with him.

Junpyo just gave off a sigh and stood up from his seat. "Stubborn aren't we? Are you sure you're fine enough?" He was answer with her nodded. "Fine, if you say so. I think I have to go then. Will you be fine al-o-n-e...?" Junpyo trailed on his words when his eyes caught a glimpse of someone entering the doorway.

"Junpyo?"

"Yi Jeong-ah!"

"Oh? Yi Jeong Sunbae?"

Junpyo brought his hand on Gaeul's head, patting it lightly. "I think you'll do just fine, Princess. Your guardian angel is here to look after you. I have to go. Bye!"

He then walked and faced Yi Jeong, then placed his hand on Yi Jeong’s right shoulder, leaned a little to his ear and said. "Just look after her, Yi Jeong-ah. And don't do anything beyond kissing her or I'll tell Jandi."

Yi Jeong jaw dropped as soon as he had comprehended what Junpyo said. He turned to face him and glared at his best friend. "Gu Junpyo!" He warned him, but his friend just shrugged and smirked at him. Junpyo then stepped away from him and headed to the door.

"I'm out of here. You two don't go anywhere but here. Arasso?"

"Yes Sunbae! Be careful! Bye." Gaeul immediately replied and waved at him.

The thought that his friend said to him, surprised Yi Jeong. Did she tell Jandi about that? He was dealing with such thought in his head until his apprehension was halted by Gaeul who was pulling the helm of his sleeves. She looked at him with her concerned expression.

"Is there something wrong, Sunbae?"

"Why is Junpyo here anyway?" Yi Jeong asked when he recovered from his thoughts.

"Ah... He went to see if I'm doing fine. And also to get the photo spread I promised to give him. Why?" Gaeul tilted her head.

"Do they always come and visit you?" Curiosity owned him so he asked her.

Gaeul walked past him and sat back on her previous spot. She filed her photos and cleared some papers on a portion of the glass table.

"Hmm... They come randomly to check up on me. I find it confusing before but as time goes I had accustomed myself to their habits. They've been doing that frequently a month ago since Oppa was away for business trip. Jiho Sunbae would come here and then, he would have me with him at the hospital the whole day during my breaks, while Junpyo Sunbae would drop by at my photography school sometimes. And Jandi would tie me on her neck as always."

He saw how her eyes lit up; she was smiling as she answered his inquiries. Yi Jeong was glad and hurt at the same time. Knowing that his friends had become protective of Gaeul made him so happy, but the fact that he was not able to do that to her with them, upset him very much. All of them had grown fond of her, treating her like their own sister, which he would also love to feel. But not having her as a sister, of course. He loves her more than that and he only wanted her to be his and his alone.

Yi Jeong walked towards her spot and settled himself on the couch exactly behind her. His position provided him the view of what she's doing, and that he could watch her intently without her noticing it. His legs were barely an inch away from her back that if he’d bent down a little, he would be able to smell her hair or even placed his chin on top of her head. Yi Jeong smiled widely to himself, being such a sneaky guy had always been one of his ‘ways’.

"Sunbae?" Gaeul called without looking back at him. She was busy cutting images from magazines and newspaper to do so.

"Hmm?"

"Have you talked to Woobin Sunbae lately? He seems to worry a lot about you. I also haven't seen him for days now, he made several calls though, but I kind of miss him."

He misses him even if he had called her several times. Does she feel the say way about me?" He had no intention of being bitter over Woobin, but he just couldn’t help it. After pondering and hitting himself mentally, he had resigned on answering Gaeul’s question.

“Yes. He actually went at my studio yesterday. He told me you're free the whole afternoon, so I should go and look after you since he's a little busy."

Yi Jeong heard Gaeul gave off a sigh. "He always does that. I already told him a thousand times before that I can already manage on my own, but he's so stubborn to listen. You know what...?"

Gaeul shifted her position to face Yi Jeong, who was engrossed on twirling the end of her hair with his fingers.

"Sunbae?!"

"Hmm?" He answered and realized what it was that he was doing. Yi Jeong had swiftly withdrawn his hand and arched his brows to her. "Hmm?" That was the only thing he could utter after she caught what he just did.

"As I was saying, you know? There was one time when Oppa was so busy, also Jiho Sunbae, that both of them couldn't come to accompany me. He sent Grumpy Ajushi with Jaekyung Unnie, who just arrived from New York by then. He's so much sometimes, right? I always felt sorry for all of you looking after a 25 year old me. Oh my God!"

Gaeul's expression was so down, her shoulders were arched low and she had a sad pout on her face. But Yi Jeong understood where his friends were coming from, why they were being overly protective of her. She almost left the world without prior notice. And if he was present during those times, he might have locked her in a room so she wouldn't get hurt. He’d even be glad to provide her bodyguards, adding to the fact that her parents were in Japan for work and couldn't even look after her.

"Grumpy Ajushi? Jae Kyung? As in Ha Jae Kyung?"

She earnestly nodded her head that he's afraid it might fall off her neck. "Ah... Grumpy Ajushi is Mr. Kyu Jung Park, Woobin Oppa's chauffeur."

He chuckled at the new name Mr. Park got from her. He had been Woobin's chauffeur ever since he could remember. "What's with the name, Gaeul-yang?"

"It was not me who name him like that. It was Jae Kyung Unnie's idea, she said it's easier to remember if you name the people you're with based on how they look, and that's why she insisted to call Mr. Park as Grumpy. I just can't say no to her, she's like Junpyo Sunbae female version."

"Really?" By the way he looked, with those wide, amused eyes, Gaeul could tell that he's interested in what she was saying, and it made her glad that he is. "So, why Ha Jae Kyung? When did this happen?"

"It was just a month before I was totally allowed to do things on my own, so I'm still a bit clueless on random things. It's so funny that Jae Kyung Unnie was with me where in fact I don't even remember her, but she's nice and thoughtful enough to tell me stories about her."

Yi Jeong nodded to her.

"Unnie said Oppa knew she was coming, and so he called and told her to look after me. Jae Kyung Unnie also said that she knew I had an accident and even visited me when I'm still in a coma, but her work didn't permit her to stay longer and that's why I wasn't given a chance to see her after I woke up."

"I see... Maybe she's been here frequently that she became close to everybody. I haven't seen her in a long time, though."

Gaeul laughed at his comment and he didn't know why. Why is she laughing all so suddenly? "Is there something wrong?" He inquired.

Gaeul shook her head and laughed again. "Nothing Sunbae. Actually, it's just me, Jandi, Junpyo and Jiho Sunbae that had gotten closer with Unnie. Because she and Oppa would always bicker, Oppa always loses his patience when it comes to her. He would look exhausted after they fight. And they only agreed on one thing, and that's me" She said proudly while pointing at herself.

~

"Oh my God! He's here again!"

"Really?"

"Where?"

"Guys fix yourselves. He's just on the other end of the corridor. He is heading this way."

She heard her comrades converse and scramble into commotion. Suddenly everyone in her station went fixing their hair and make-up and she didn't even know why.

"Yah! Minseo-ah, aren't you going to retouch your makeup?" Her confusion grew. Her face wear adorned with furrowed and scrunched expression, while everybody surrounding her were getting crazy. What's with these people?

Hastily, a group of screams and giggling nurses came crowding behind someone.

"Oh my God he's here. Minseo-yah look..." She directed her gaze to where her co-nurse had been pointing and there she was met by the smiling gorgeous Doctor's gaze.

"Good Day Nurse Kwon!"

"Aaaaaahhhhh! He greeted you Minseo-yah! Ahhhhh!" She heard her co-nurse yell right beside her ears while shaking her rigorously. But she just shrugged them off and returned a smile to Jiho.

~

After some small talks they shared, Gaeul had her back facing him again, and had continued cutting papers. Yi Jeong moved a little to observe her activity. He parted his legs and rested his elbows on his knees while bending a little right up above her head. By that Gaeul was somewhat trapped between him and the table in front of her.

She seemed oblivious about how close Yi Jeong was to her, she was too engrossed in her project to notice her current position. With the proximity they have, Yi Jeong happily noted everything that she was doing, from cutting pictures to placing glue on paper folding. The smell of her hair was turning him a little lost and intoxicated. Her scent was like freshly picked strawberries during spring time. Yi Jeong was indeed at lost because of how his senses were reacting. He needed to divert his attention because if he remained that way, his heart would cloud up his brain and he might do something not so appropriate to her.

"Gaeul-yang..?"

She heard him call her name and she unconsciously bent her head backwards to look at him.

"Hmmm?" She said.

Yi Jeong almost chocked his heart out when she suddenly looked up to him where her face was just an inch below him. Her lips were just right in front of his eyes and he could smell her sweet breath when she gasped at their position. He stayed rooted in his position for seconds, fighting the urge to dive in and kiss her.

He badly wanted to kiss her again. Their previous kiss had haunted him ever since it happened; it turned him into an insomniac for a few nights already. Yi Jeong couldn't hold himself anymore that he bent a little, more enough for their noses to touch.

With his lips being that close to her sight made Gaeul gasp for air, her mind went blank and she couldn't move into her place. She saw him bringing his face closer. And her eyes widened when their noses touched, due to being surprise, she bolted her head up resulting to their forehead to hit each other.

"OUCH!" They both hissed out of pain.

Both their foreheads were red and painful. Gaeul brought her hand on it and massage it gently. "Ah... It hurts a lot." Almost crying, she said.

Although he too was in pain, hearing Gaeul hissed out made him worried. In a swift, he held her shoulders and turned her to face him. Her forehead was red and her expression was so in pain.

"Let me see." He pulled her hand from her touching her forehead. He rubbed his hand and gently pressed it down her reddened forehead. He kept on doing it for a moment, then he stood up from his seat. "Wait here. I'll go get some ice." Yi Jeong said and he dashed through the kitchen.

Gaeul was still in pain, but she was more concern on how to steady her wildly ramming heart than easing her pain. She didn't even remember how long she had held her breathing that she was now gasping for air. What's wrong with me?"

Unknown to her, Yi Jeong had almost drunk the whole pitcher of cold water from the fridge. He didn't even know what to do first; grab some ice or settle his crazy heart. The great Casanova was at lost from just a mere proximity with little Ms. Gaeul. 

So Yi Jeong, you're such a bummer 

"Aish!" He hit the pitiful fridge from his frustration.

For how long it was that they spent to control their hearts, they didn't know. Gaeul was still seated the same way he had left her. He moved towards her while she's still pressing her head lightly. He sat back on the couch to face her. Yi Jeong removed her hand from her head, lifted her chin with his left hand while he pressed the ice pack on the reddened area with his right.

"Is it still painful?" She shook her head gently for confirmation.

"I'm sorry for what I did." He said, continuing what he's doing.

"No. Sunbae it's actually my fault. Let's just don't do it again..." She trailed off on her words. 

Do the what? Kiss? Sorry Gaeul-yang but I think I can't. His mind argued.

"I mean the...The hitting of heads." She continued while her sound faltering as she finished her sentence.

Huh! Chu Gaeul you almost got me there.

Yi Jeong chuckled inwardly and smiled at how innocent Gaeul still, even at her age. Her head wasn't that red anymore and she looked calm already. As he watched over her, he noticed that she was avoiding his gaze; Gaeul would look down while biting her lower lip.

She looked adorable to him, especially when she's flustered with his presence. Yi Jeong wanted to kiss her lips more because of that, but he cupped her cheek with his free hand and planted a kiss on her forehead instead. After that he looked at her blushed like cherries and he smiled at her.

"Let's go cook something for dinner. I’m hungry.” He said as he held her hand and dragged her up to the kitchen.

~

Looking over the file of papers crowding on top of his table, Woobin could only shake his head. All along he was right. Dealing with the Cronos would never help So Woo Seong, he had seen it coming. Cronos was playing coy with the business deal, but the intention was really to take over the whole thing. More to his knowledge Woobin could easily say that underhand tactics were one of their expertise and for the data he has, Cronos was the reason why other interested investors never dared to strike deals with Woo Seong. Junpyo's mother hadn’t been able to touch the matter, but the foreign investors were already out of the way. And that was because of Cronos. If they would just sit and not intervene, the whole thing including the Museums would be under the Cronos, and definitely Yi Jeong won't be happy about it.

Woobin took his phone out and dialed a number.

~

A row of plates was on the table, it had gourmet dishes displayed, and looking like everything came from a fancy restaurant. He looked at her with amusement; her eyes went rounder when he started chopping spices and meticulously handled the necessary ingredients. He let her sit in the corner while he made himself busy with the cooking. He finished his masterpiece and arranged the table like a pro chef. The moment she saw the food being placed on the table, Gaeul couldn't utter a word; each course was enticing and inviting. Yi Jeong couldn't help but chuckle inwardly when he caught Gaeul swallowing hard the moment he placed the last platter on the table.

"Gaeul-yang, are you hungry already?"

Gaeul opened and look at Yi Jeong with pure amazement in her eyes. "Wow! Sunbea, I did not know you cook so well. What do you call these? Food for the Gods?"

 Yi Jeong burst into laughter at her inquiry. "It's just a Mediterranean Cuisine, Gaeul-yang." He said and settled in the chair beside her, he was grinning the entire time.

On the verge of giving Gaeul an empty plate, he saw her phone blink, indicating an incoming call, with his finger pointing at it he said. "Gaeul-yang, your phone."

She picked it up and saw who the caller was; she beamed in an instant as she swiped the answer key.

"Oppa!" Gaeul exclaimed excitedly.

Yi Jeong instinctively perked his ears and observed her quietly. He saw her smiling widely as she spoke on the line.

"Where are you? You haven't gone to visit me!  You owe me my ice cream supply." Woobin heard her rant on the phone and then he laughed aloud, he was very familiar with her antics. To hear her voice on the phone made him miss her more. He hadn't seen her in days and for the sound of her, she was actually waiting for his call.

"Did you miss me that much?" Yi Jeong had clearly heard his friend speak on the other line. He was just beside Gaeul and he was clearly aware of the whole conversation.

"Yeah, but just a little... I miss my ice cream more, you know?" He heard her answer Woobin and it caused a slight constriction inside him.

"Junpyo Sunbea went here and paid me a visit. Aren't you dropping by this evening?"

"Why? Isn't Yi Jeong with you? I told him to stay with you there. He did not come?"

"Ani, Sunbae is with me.” Gaeul glanced back at Yi Jeong and smiled. “Do you know what, Oppa? Yi Jeong Sunbae cooked me something really delicious, you should come here now..."

"I'm sorry, Princess. I can't drop by now. I'm tired and my work... I promise to make it up to you soon... By the way, can I talk to Yi Jeong in a minute?"

"Hmm. I understand..." Woobin noted her sounding upset. "Are you sporting a pout again, Princess?" He’s so sure that she was, but still he asked. Woobin was glad that she missed him like he did, however he couldn't go and see her now since he had already made up his mind. He needed to distance himself from her because it's the right thing to do. And it’s what's best for the three of them.

"Apparently, she is."

"Yi Jeong-ha!"

"Why? Gaeul gave me the phone with a scrunched face. Need something to tell me?"

"Yeah. Let's meet up tomorrow. We need to do some planning. It's about Woo Seong and Cronos.” He sighed, remembering that Yi Jeong’s with Gaeul. “Anyways, just mind that later and attend to Gaeul first. I sent some ice cream for you two, but don't let her eat too much. She might not be able to eat breakfast the next morning. Just tell her I hung up, okay?"

"Hmm. Bye."

"Oppa, got something on his sleeves and he doesn't want me to know. Sunbae, you know it too, right?" She looked at him with serious eyes reflecting what's inside her.

"It is about my family. He is technically helping me, Gaeul-yang. That is why he can't spend some time with you. I'm sorry." He told her staring straight into her eyes, but later cast it down to his clutched fists under the table. 

Why? I seriously dislike feeling like this.

 Gaeul saw him looking down and her eyes landed on his hands that were curled into fists. She didn't know, but maybe he was upset about the situation. Maybe Yi Jeong was frustrated about the whole thing, more to her not yet breaking the walls between them. Yes, she was unsure about her feelings towards him, and for the fact that he told her he loved her, made it more complicated. She didn't know how to respond to his every action, treatments and also to what he feels for her. Does she love him like he loves her? What if her memory of him would not return? What if the love that Yi Jeong was talking about is also forgotten? Is she willing to take a chance and risk her unsure heart? Gaeul knew she couldn't answer her doubts if she would not face it and deal with it. But at the moment, all she had to do was to make him be bright again. She had to make him smile and laugh more and maybe by that she would be able to see the answers from her questions.

Yi Jeong eyes were closed, contemplating on what he was feeling inside. It's so frustrating on his part, that he was powerless to do anything about the unwelcoming feeling he had inside him. He didn't want to feel jealous, but he couldn’t help it. Why? He doesn't know. His reverie was halted when he felt a soft touch enveloping his hands and when he opened his eyes, he was welcomed by the gaze that was full of worry and concern. He saw her gave him a reassuring smile before he felt himself clasped in between her arms.

Gaeul searched for a way on how to comfort Yi Jeong, but her brain had not come up with any idea, so she simply chose to give him a hug instead. She did not say anything, but she hoped what she did can alleviate the burden he has in his heart.

Yi Jeong was taken aback on Gaeul's action; she was just quiet while still having him in an embrace. And then, for a brief moment, Yi Jeong chose to brush all his thoughts to just feel her that close to him. He let himself savor the new memory of having Gaeul, embrace him.

Gaeul felt Yi Jeong's arms wrapped around her with his chin on top of his head, before he gave her a gentle hug. She felt him let go of her and planted a kiss on the crown of her head.

"Thank you, Gaeul-yang. But I guess we still have to eat our dinner."