FATE, WRITTEN BY US - CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 11
VILLA SORTINO“Yeobo~ So you like the food here?”
Jo Kwon and Ga-In had arrived at the Italian restaurant that was Ga-In’s favourite.
“Ya~ You shouldn’t call me that especially when we are in public. Look! Everyone’s looking our way. This is so embarrassing.”
Ga-In tried to hide in the corner that they have been led to when they arrived. Only one camera followed them into the restaurant. Ga-In had gone to the restaurant owner to let him know that they were filming in the restaurant and the owner gave them a quiet corner, away from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant.
“What do you mean by embarrassing? We are husband and wife!”
“Don’t keep saying that. That’s only our status on the show.”
Jo Kwon was about to protest but he saw that she was already engrossed in studying the menu. Actually, he didn’t know what he was feeling as well. While he knew that they were just a make-believe couple, he could not quite draw the line so clearly.
“Kwon-ah, let’s share this! The Pizza Sortino is their trademark dish. I order this every time I’m here but I can’t finish it on my own. Since Seul Ong oppa is not here, you share it with me.”
Jo Kwon liked the idea that she wanted to share the dish with him but the constant mention of Seul Ong was beginning to get on his nerves.
“Sure. Yeobo, what else do you want to have?”
“That’s all for me. Do you want anything else? Seul Ong oppa usually order an additional Spaghetti alla Vongole too.”
There it was again, the irritation. He didn’t know if it was because Ga-In was calling Seul Ong “oppa” way too naturally or he was just being sensitive. No matter what, it didn’t really sit well with him.
“I think I’m fine with just sharing the pizza with you.”
“Alright then.”
Ga-In signaled for the waiter and since the waiter was someone she was familiar with, she spoke easily and even joked with the waiter. After placing their orders, Ga-In finally turned her attention back to Jo Kwon again. That was when she noticed that he didn’t look too good.
“Ya~ Are you alright? You look a little sick.”
“Yeobo, are you this friendly to all the men you meet?”
“What do you mean?”
Then it hit Ga-In that Jo Kwon was showing his jealousy.
“Yes, I’m usually very friendly. I have even been to the movies a couple of times with Mario.”
“What?! Who’s Mario?”
“The waiter just now.”
“You know the waiter’s name? You have even gone to the movies with him?!”
Ga-In simply shrugged and nodded her head.
“What’s wrong with that? We are good friends.”
“You cannot go out with him anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because you are married. To me.”
“Ya~ Jo Kwon, this is a show. Stop taking it so seriously. We are NOT real.”
To that, Jo Kwon had no reply. But he continued sulking. Ga-In knew that they couldn’t go on this way since the camera was still on them.
“Ya~ You want to see the photographs I took when I went to New York?”
“No.”
“Really? It’s really beautiful though. You sure? Alright fine, you just sit there and sulk.”
Ga-In started looking through the photographs that was stored in her phone. Occasionally, she would smile and mumble something to herself.
Finally, he could not stand being ignored anymore.
“Yeobo~ Talk to me.”
Ga-In looked up at him, took a brief glance at him and then went back to looking through her photographs.
“Yeobo~~”
“Are you done with your sulk already?”
Jo Kwon nodded like an errant child.
“Come over here.”
Ga-In spoke to Jo Kwon like how a mother would to a child. She patted the seat next to her, signaling for him to sit. While Jo Kwon wasn’t very happy with her tone, he was happy for the chance to sit beside her. Ga-In showed him the photographs from the beginning of the trip.
“This is Seul Ong oppa’s penthouse in New York… This is Kim-oma… OH!! This! This is the place I have wanted to go since I was 10. Seul Ong oppa promised to bring me there and so we went this time round. He actually bought the land that the lighthouse stood on because the officials were going to demolish the lighthouse and he couldn’t let it disappear before he fulfilled his promise to me.”
Jo Kwon looked at Ga-In and saw the joy that was on her face. It was apparent that Seul Ong hyung was a very big part of her life. But why and in what capacity? He thought they were simply good friends but this wasn’t the case. Could what he have read about the two of them be true?
“… And this is the view of the ocean from the top of the lighthouse. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?
Ga-In went on without detecting the hint of doubt that was beginning to show on his face.
“And this, this is my birthday present.”
Her tone reflected the joy that she obviously felt about the gift. Jo Kwon shifted his eyes back to the photographs again and was shocked at what he saw.
“THIS is your birthday present? A beach house on Fire Island?”
“Yes! The view of the ocean is gorgeous! And the master bedroom was decorated according to what I wrote in my diary a long time ago. Speaking of which, I totally forgotten to give Seul Ong oppa an earful about reading my diary. I must make a note…”
Jo Kwon could not hear what Ga-In said. The singular thought that was in his head was the beautiful house that she had just showed him. He wondered briefly how he was ever going to be on par with Seul Ong hyung.
Ga-In finally realized that Jo Kwon wasn’t looking at the photographs or listening to her anymore. She turned, wanting to get his attention when she realized that his head was bowed down. She was puzzled at that.
“Jo Kwon, what’s wrong?”
Jo Kwon didn’t look up and just simply shook his head.
“Something is definitely wrong. Lift your head and look at me.”
When Jo Kwon remained in the same position, Ga-In got a little angry.
“Ya! I said look up! What is wrong with you?! Are you throwing a tantrum again? Can you behave more like an adult? Aish~”
Jo Kwon got up from his seat and was going to walk back to his side of the booth. Ga-In grabbed his hand and pulled him back down. This time round, she didn’t wait for him to look up. Instead, she just put her hands on the sides of his head and forced him to look at her. That was when she noticed the tears that were swimming in his eyes. Her tone instantly softened.
“Kwon-ah, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well? Shall we go?”
He just shook his head and pried her hands off his face.
“Then why do you have tears in your eyes?”
“I feel stupid.”
“Why? Did I say anything to make you feel stupid?”
“No. I just felt stupid because I was so happy with myself for finding the apartment when you’ve already been given something so much better.”
Ga-In was speechless for a moment then she couldn’t help herself. She burst out laughing.
“Ya! Why are you comparing the two? While I have to admit I really liked the beach house, it’s not the same as the apartment. You looked for the apartments with the thought of providing something nicer for me, for us. And that was really touching. And when we finally settled on the apartment, it was OUR decision, our first as a couple on the show and that’s something we would keep as a memory. So there’s no need to be upset, alright?”
“Really? This is how you really feel?”
Ga-In nodded and smiled to reassure him.
“Yes, really, that is how I really feel. Aigoo~ Are you going to be so insecure about everything? This is not my impression of you.”
“No, it’s just… It’s just I do not know how to react to everything. And you seemed real close to Seul Ong hyung…”
He looked at her. The question in his eyes was clear.
How are the two of you related?Ga-In knew that she had to tell him. She glanced briefly at the cameraman and Jung PD who was sitting at the table next to them.
“Is it ok if we dine in private without the camera? I want the two of us to be comfortable since this is our first meal together as a couple.”
Jung PD had been watching their exchange and knew that there was something they needed to speak in private. She nodded her head and signal for the cameraman to switch off the camera.
“We’ll wait for the two of you outside. Enjoy your meal.”
With that, Jo Kwon and Ga-In were left alone.
“Remember just now when you suggested that we should call our family and tell them that we have moved?”
Jo Kwon nodded.
“You noticed that I was hesitant right?”
“Yes… I was wondering about that. Why?”
“Because my only family is Seul Ong oppa.”
That caused more confusion to appear on Jo Kwon’s face.
“But the two of you do not share the same surname…”
“We are orphans.”
Jo Kwon was obviously shocked at the revelation.
“You and Seul Ong hyung are orphans?”
“Yes, I was abandoned by my mother when I was 4 years old. I met Seul Ong oppa at the orphanage and he looked out for me. Since then, we only had each other. We became very close, probably closer than real siblings.”
Jo Kwon’s heart twitched at the thought of Ga-In being abandoned when she was 4 years old. He took her hand in his, as if trying to console her.
“Then one day, we were sent away from the orphanage and went to live at a foster home. We were really angry initially and tried to escape many times. But Kim-oma always managed to find us and would drag us back to the foster home. Eventually, we came to realize that Kim-oma really cared for each of the children who came under her care. So, she became our surrogate mother of sorts. The three of us formed a family unit.”
“So that was why you were alright with spending your birthday with Seul Ong hyung when you obviously hated the idea.”
The moment Jo Kwon mentioned her birthday, she remembered. She took her hand out of his. Before he could protest, their food arrived.
“Go back to your own seat. You are taking space on my side.”
Jo Kwon knew from her tone she was not to be disobeyed. Something had definitely happened on her birthday and it was an extremely bad memory. He remembered Seul Ong’s words that he would eventually know the reason. He moved back to his seat and quietly ate the pizza.
Both ate in silence throughout the meal. When they were about to finish, the waiter appeared mysteriously by their side and handed over a box. Jo Kwon took the box and opened the lid. Inside the box, there was a Polaroid camera, a bag of film, a photo album and the mission-card envelope. Ga-In noticed that the cameraman had moved back into the restaurant and knew she had to act accordingly.
“What’s written on the mission card?”
Jo Kwon took out the mission card and started reading.
“Now that the two of you have a nice roof over your head, start making memories of your journey together as a couple. This camera would be in your possession to use whenever there is a moment where you feel should be recorded. Put the photographs into the album and watch the memories accumulate.
The couple also has to get to know each other better. Please think of the places you could bring each other to so that your spouse can know a little more about you.”
The two of them looked at each other and smiled.
“Yeobo~ Let’s take a photo now! This is our first meal together. Aish~ They should have given us the camera earlier, then we could have taken a picture of the pizza as well.”
“Never mind, we are the main characters. We just have to put the captions on the photograph then we would remember. Mario~ Can you help us take a picture?”
Mario stepped forward from where he was watching discreetly. Jo Kwon handed the camera to him and the two of them posed for the photograph with wide grins on their faces.
When the photograph came out, Jo Kwon took the marker that was in the box and wrote the caption.
“At Villa Sortino~ Our first meal together as a couple! ^^”
Ga-In took over the photograph and stared at it momentarily.
We look so happy, but would our smiles be wiped off one day?She looked at Jo Kwon and had to close her eyes briefly so that she could command her tears to back off.
Will our past taint our new-found memories?“Yeobo?”
Ga-In opened her eyes to the gentle nudging of the man in front of her and smiled to hide her embarrassment. She quickly put the photograph into the photo album and wondered briefly if they would be able to fill the album.
“Let’s go back to our apartment. I already ordered some cakes to take back. We could have our dessert back in the comfort of our home.”
Jo Kwon got up and stretched out his hand for Ga-In to hold. Ga-In stared uncertainly at the hand for a moment and then put her hand in his.
“Yes, let’s go back home.”
However, jet lag finally caught up with Ga-In on their way back to the apartment. She fell sound asleep. Jo Kwon looked at the tired woman next to him and knew they could not continue with the filming. He called Jung PD and told her that Ga-In had fallen asleep and they would have to stop filming for the day. Since they had followed the two the whole day, they should have enough footage for the episode.
Since Jo Kwon was the one paying the rent for the apartment, he was free to use the apartment if he chose to. When they arrived back at the apartment, he simply carried Ga-In upstairs and laid her down on the bed in the master bedroom. He didn’t know how to contact Ga-In’s manager and called the next best person he knew.
“Seul Ong hyung? Can you help me contact Ga-In noona’s manager and tell her that Ga-In is sleeping over at the new apartment?”
“Kwon? Why isn’t her manager with her?”
“I believe Ga-In noona sent her back after she received an urgent call from the hospital.”
“Oh ok. Where are you now?”
Jo Kwon told Seul Ong the apartment that they had decided on.
“Alright, I’d be there in about 30 minutes to pick her up.”
“But she’s asleep right now. She could just stay here till tomorrow. I’d be here.”
“I know you’d be there but it’s not safe for the two of you to be seen going in and out of an apartment when your episode on WGM has not been broadcasted. It might cause unnecessary rumours to start circulating.”
The rational part of Jo Kwon knew that was true but the irrational part of him protested silently.
Then you mean it’s ok for YOU to be seen going in and out of an apartment with Ga-In noona?“Alright... I’d see you later then.”
Seul Ong disconnected the call and started packing. He was still in his office and was scheduled for a conference call in about 30 minutes but he knew he could not let Ga-In stay over at the apartment, especially not with Jo Kwon there.
He pressed the intercom button.
“Miss Hong, can you cancel the conference call that’s going to happen later? Send my apologies and arrange for another meeting. After you are done with that, let me know the new date and time, then you can leave for the day.”
“Yes, sir. I’d call you once the meeting is fixed.”
“Just send me a text message and an email. Thanks.”
He walked out of his office and bid his secretary farewell.
After checking to make sure that Ga-In was still sound asleep, Jo Kwon went to make himself a cup of coffee. Then he remembered that Seul Ong hyung was on his way and should be arriving soon. He took another cup from the cupboard. Just as he finished pouring the hot water into the second cup, the doorbell rang.
Jo Kwon went to open the door.
“Hyung, you’re here.”
Seul Ong smiled and nodded at Jo Kwon.
“Come on in. You are our first guest and deservingly so.”
Seul Ong was a little puzzled by the “deservingly so” but he didn’t give it too much thought.
“Where’s Ga-In?”
“She’s asleep in the master bedroom.”
“I’d go carry her and bring her back now.”
“Hyung, there’s no need to leave in such a hurry. Let her rest for a while more. Look, I have made coffee and there’s desserts.”
Seul Ong saw no harm in doing just that.
“Hyung, I heard about your past from Ga-In noona.”
Seul Ong was a little surprised that Ga-In told Kwon so early about their past and the fact that they are orphans. But he let none of that show.
“Oh really? I didn’t expect her to tell you so quickly.”
“Well, I made a blunder of sorts. I actually suggested calling our family to tell them that we have moved. And that was when I noticed Ga-In noona wasn’t really in favour of the idea. She told me over dinner just now.”
“I see.”
Seul Ong knew that the fact that they were orphans was not the reason Ga-In didn’t want to call their family. She could have easily call Kim-oma in New York if she didn’t want to reveal the relationship between them. It was talking to Jo Kwon’s mother that she had objections to.
“Oppa? Why are you here?”
Ga-In thought she heard a familiar voice and had gotten out of bed to take a look. She was rather surprised to see her Seul Ong oppa in the living room with Jo Kwon.
“Kwon was going to let you stay the night here but I thought it wasn’t a good idea for the two of you to be seen together going in and out of an apartment building. So I came to fetch you.”
“Oh alright, let me get my things then we can leave.”
Jo Kwon could not help feeling that he had been isolated in that brief interaction between Seul Ong and Ga-In. It was a very unsettling feeling.
Seul Ong got up from the couch and brought his cup to the sink and washed it.
“Kwon-ah, you are not leaving yet?”
“In a while. I would clean and lock up before I leave.”
“Alright oppa, I’m ready to go.”
“Ok. Kwon-ah, bye, see you soon.”
“Hyung, bye. Noo…”
He was about to say goodbye to Ga-In when he saw that Ga-In had linked her arm with Seul Ong’s and was talking animatedly to Seul Ong about their dinner just now. Seul Ong was aware that Jo Kwon was staring at them.
“In-ah, don’t you want to say goodbye to your hubby?”
Ga-In hit Seul Ong on the arm first.
“Oppa! Why are you teasing me too? He’s not my hubby! It’s just for the show!”
But she did turn and waved at Jo Kwon.
“Bye~ See you next week.”
Then she turned and pulled Seul Ong out of the apartment, all the while joking and smiling with him.
Jo Kwon didn’t know where the impulse to pull her back into the apartment and chased Seul Ong away came from. But he knew that he had to watch himself because these seemed to be tell-tale signs of jealousy.
Now why would I be jealous?He knew he didn’t want to know the answer to that question just as yet.
Author's Note: HAPPY CHUSEOK!!! hahahah~~ I hope this is like TONS better than MBC's crappy excuse of a WGM Chu Seok Special (THEY HAD BETTER NOT DO IT AGAIN TOMORROW~ I WILL KILL!)
And if you are asking why would Ga-In treat Kwon in a hot and cold manner, the best I can explain it without giving away too much would be when you meet someone you shouldn't like but you do, how to you actually react? There is a history between the two of them. It might be brief but it definitely exist. So perhaps think about how the love-hate dynamics come about?