OST : Anywhere For You by Backstreet Boys
*****
The Lee family estate stood on a wide ground, consisting of 20 bedrooms, dozens of sitting rooms, swimming pools in and outside the house, and a tennis court. The interior was tastefully based on every painting in the room. One painting was placed in each room since Lee Dong Sun was an avid collector. The colors in each room matched the painting as if he wanted every painting to come to life in his house.
Lee Dong Sun had shrewd business instincts and perseverance. He had started his business small, from a simple, small hotel in Jeju. It got famous because of his wife's cooking skills, and the good service. With the growth of South Korea, his business grew too.
As his business expanded, he moved and brought his family to Seoul, gaining even more success and getting even wealthier. He was highly respected for his good treatment of his employees, making the turnover in his companies the lowest compared to others. It made his employees so loyal to him, creating a good environment that became one of the sole reasons his business kept on flourishing.
He built the house for generations to come. Elegant enough to impress people, but not too lavish to look unlike a home.
His son, Lee Chung Ho, soon became involved in the business. And Lee Myung Hwan, his grandson, would in time, take his position in the family empire.
The house employed 30 staff. From Kim Sang Ok the butler, his daughter Kim Ga Eun, five kitchen staff (a chef and his four crews), a dozen bodyguards to make sure everything was safe with the family, and the rest were servants.
A special bond existed between the Lee family, their butler, and his daughter. Trust was so deeply felt that the Lee family refused to be served by anybody else except the father and daughter. Every meal was served by them. Every occasion, big or small, was planned with them.
Kim Sang Ok was so important that Lee Dong Sun and Lee Chung Ho brought him whenever they went overseas to arrange their house and events there. Even their private secretaries consulted him first to make sure everything went smoothly.
They lived together. They needed each other.
They were close enough to be called a family.
*****
8th Grade, second semester
Yeungjin Academy was a highly prestigious institution in South Korea that offered education from kindergarten to college. To this institution, Myung Hwan went day by day to prepare himself for his future. And this was also where Ga Eun went. Kim Sang Ok only paid until she reached sixth grade. Afterwards, she was granted a full scholarship.
It was another lunchtime when Ga Eun and Ki Jun decided to take a walk in the park at their school. It was autumn and the park—artistically designed by experts—looked wonderful with all the falling leaves.
"How come you're not fat?" Ki Jun suddenly asked out of the blue.
"What?" Ga Eun laughed at her friend's antics. "Why? Am I too thin?" she asked back.
"No, paboo. I mean, the meals that you brought are always super delicious. I don't get why you're not fat. If it's me, I'll get fat in no time."
"Oh please," Ga Eun remarked, "You're slim and tall. Though you eat like three people all the time. I tell you, all of those rice you ate just become bones!"
In turn, Ki Jun laughed out loud. He was going to turn left since class would soon start again, but Ga Eun caught his sleeve. "No. This way. Please..."
Ki Jun sighed but followed anyway.
"But you see him every day..." he whined, "why should we sneak around to see him again?"
"I haven't seen him for three days Ki Junnie...He's busy with his school project."
"Three days! It's only three days!"
Ga Eun's face turned colder, "If you don't want to go with me, just say it, I'll go by myself!"
"Alright, alright. Don't get mad. Your nostrils are flaring right now. What would Lee Myung Hwan say if he saw that?"
Instead of calming her, it made her more annoyed. Her eyes grew larger and she put her hands on her hips, ready to argue back.
"Okay. Ahrasseo. Let's go see that Master Lee of yours."
So together, they entered Yeungjin high school grounds. The building was of course bigger than their junior high. Three stories high and full of students roaming around wearing their blue uniforms. Junior high's uniform was green. So they really stood out among the crowd. But it was not uncommon to see younger students there.
There was a crowd in front of the auditorium hall, students carrying folded chairs and setting microphones. Music was playing inside, some students were rehearsing.
"I think they are preparing for the prom night" Ki Jun guessed.
"Ne. I think so too."
"Oh! There's Lee Myung Hwan-ssi!"
"Where?" Ga Eun asked anxiously.
"There! Can't you see? On the right side of the stage, talking with his friends?"
"Where? I can't see him, Ki Junnie!"
"Stand over here!"
Ga Eun did as she was told and when she saw him, she smiled happily. Myung Hwan was standing between his friends, holding a notepad, he seemed in a serious conversation.
"Happy now? Can we go back?" Ki Jun asked.
"Oh. Aren't you the girl who's working at Myung Hwan's house?"
Somebody suddenly greeted her. He was one of Myung Hwan's friends who recently came to his house. "Wae? You're looking for him?"
"Aniyo!" she panicked, waving her hand to point that no, she was not looking for him.
"That's okay, I'll call him."
"Sunbae, no! I—"
By calling, that boy meant shouting. He just shouted at him from the entrance. "Oi! Myung Hwan-ah! This little girl is looking for you!"
Not only he, but the whole hall also turned and looked in their direction. Ga Eun felt like she wanted the earth to swallow her.
Recognizing her, Myung Hwan waved and walked to her.
"Hi, Ga Eun. What's up? Do you need something?"
Ga Eun flustered before bowing low, "Annyeonghaseyo, Doryeonnim. Forgive me for interrupting, I was—"
"Sunbae, we were looking for these prom preparations!" Ki Jun cut in, "Everything looks so cool!"
"Oh, geudae (really?) Do you want to take a look around?"
Ga Eun started to shake her head but Ki Jun said, "Sure, Sunbae! Can we?"
So Myung Hwan took her and Ki Jun around the auditorium, where students who were in the music club practiced their songs, technicians put on some lighting on stage, and students were hanging rows of glittery silver bows under the ceiling.
"Wow. It looks like a grand event. Can junior high kids go to?"
"Um....no. Only high school students. Sorry," he said apologetically.
"Oh. Whew. I wish we could! Ga Eun would love to see y—"
She cut her friend by glaring at him.
"Your prom, um," cleared his throat. "I think we should go back now, Myung Hwan sunbae. The class will start soon."
"Okay," he nodded, "See you at home, Ga Eun."
"Ne, Doryeonnim."
They both bowed to him again before leaving the place.
"Ga Eun-ah?" Ki Jun called, as they walked back together to their junior high complex.
"Ne?"
"Just seeing you liking him makes me tired....." he sighed like an old man.
"Neeeeeee? Why would you?"
"I don't know. It looks....difficult. I mean, I know we're still kids.....but....can't you just like someone ordinary? Not that Lee Myung Hwan-ssi whose father's and grandfather's names are always mentioned on the evening news?"
"Ki Junnie....nobody can choose who they like!"
"I think we can. Maybe it's not because Myung Hwan sunbae is perfect. But it's only because he's the only guy you see around you."
"Hm...."
"What if you meet someone else? You know, just start being friends first."
She turned suspiciously to him.
"Are you planning something?"
"Well, uh....maybe."
"Seo Ki Jun!" Ga Eun warned sternly.
"Look, there's this guy in my class. He often sees me walking with you—"
"Why do I feel I don't want to hear this?"
"He's a nice kid. Really. I've known him for a while. He said he.... uh....likes you. And I kinda like the idea."
"You're in your romantic mood again...." Ga Eun complained.
"I mean, what am I supposed to do? He said he thinks you're the prettiest girl in school! I pity him so I—"
"You what?" she asked, eyes narrowing, "What did you do?"
"I....uh—gave him your phone number."
Ga Eun sighed. "Oh, that."
"You mean, you're not mad?"
"I don't see why I should," she said calmly, warming her hands in her jacket pocket.
"Really?"
"Ne."
"Is it okay if he texts you? He looked so pitiful when he asked me, you know? And you know I'm soft-hearted—"
"Aigoo...why do I have a narcissistic boy like you as a friend?"
"Seriously, is that okay?"
"Well...as long as he won't say weird things—"
"He won't, Ga Eun. I promise. I've told you. He's a nice kid."
"--it's okay to be friends."
Ki Jun heaved a relieved sigh. "Great. I'll tell him right away".
"You need to tell me his name, though. Or else how should I know he's your friend?"
"His name is Park Jin Yang. A really nice kid."
"You've said that already."
"Only the best for my Ga Eunni," Ki Jun beamed, patting her head.
"Stop it!" she avoided his hand. "Let's hurry. Class almost starts."
*****
Author's Note:
Ga Eun still has an unrequited love for her Doryeonnim here.
Hope you like the third part.
I have been writing for a long time, but I'd like to grow this penname, Luna Priestess.
Please follow me on my X/Twitter: luna_priestess8
I will try to update daily from now on.