{17} The Locket (Pt.2.)

"Wait a minute, could you perhaps bring us this one instead." I requested showing her the picture of a circular, sliver locket that had a butterfly with a shocking resemblance to Soo-ah's tattoo.

"Of course I can." she said with a smile and hurried off in the other direction.

"Why did you change your mind?" Gokk do asked confused.

"Let's just say Soo-ah has a thing for butterflies, trust me, she'll love this one."

"Well you're the expert." he said, deciding to listen to me.

The sales clerk soon returned with the locket in a jewelry box and handed it to me and I thanked her before Gokk do paid for it.

"Thanks for helping me again, Sagwa." Gokk do thanked me as we now left the mall.

"No problem, you can repay me by being good to Soo-ah." I said giving him a thumbs up with a smile and he laughed in return.

...

"Hey Sagwa, I said you didn't have to do this." Soo-ah complained as I laid her outfit out on the bed.

"But I totally do though." I insisted arranging the items out nicely, I had suddenly came over with the soul purpose of helping her get ready, equipped with jewelry, shoes, clothes and more. I was determined to get my job done, Soo-ah not so much.

"This is all a bit much for a simple apology dinner." she said making me give her a raised eyebrow.

"Apology dinner? Girl, this is a date and I'm making sure you look perfect for it." I told her sitting her down in front of the mirror so her makeup could be done, not by me but by a makeup artist I hired.

"Date?! What are you talking about this isn't a—"

"Oh, it isn't? Then why are you so red?" I laughed at her reddened face. "Soo-ah let me ask you this, did you feel anything that night when he was close to you?"

"Well I uh, I mean, I did but that doesn't mean..." she stammered still blushing.

"You're interested in him, I know you told me you don't trust him and all but you should give him a chance, after all he likes you, I can guarantee that." I said kneeling down in front of her.

She took a deep breath and thought for a moment, closing her eyes before finally saying, "Fine I'll give it a try." Making me squeal in excitement. I immediately let the makeup artist do her job.

She did both her makeup and her hair. "Woah! Soo-ah, you look fabulous!" I expressed in delight.

Her hair was now a blackish-brown and slowly faded into blonde, her ends curled and sat nicely on her shoulders.

"I do look great but I still think it's a bit much." she said, looking at herself in the mirror.

"Come on, let's get your outfit on." I said pulling her up helping her get dressed.

Her outfit I choose specifically for the occasion, it wasn't too extravagant, it had the right amount of accessories and she looked great in it.

It was an off-shoulder, floral blouse and a long-flowy, peach skirt with a slip that came up to her thigh. I knew it would cling to her and show off her gorgeous hipline.

She put on the black high heels and I busied myself putting on her golden jewelry.

"Now you're ready to go on a date." I said, giving her one last look over of approval before spraying some perfume made by Tan onto her, smiling at my work satisfied.

"I don't know what to say." Soo-ah said speechless as she stared at herself in the mirror, her eyes sparkling, her lips turned up in a smile.

"Gokk do is waiting for you outside, don't worry about your son, I'll stay here with him and help Ian babysit." I walked her downstairs.

As we came down Ian saw her and his eyes opened widely, as well as his mouth. "What the hell?!" he expressed blinking in disbelief.

"See, I look weird don't I?" Soo-ah said pointing at Ian for confirmation.

"No, that's not what I meant Soo-ah, I was just surprised to see you dressed up like this, it's been a while since I've seen you this way, you look really nice." Ian complimented his sister and she smiled brightly at his words.

"Thank you."

"Have fun." he responded and we both continued making our way outside. I placed her jacket onto her shoulders, Gokk do was resting on the car waiting for her in a black turtle neck sweater, and a navy blue jacket with matching pants.

...

"Gokk do!" Soo-ah called out to him, he slowly turned around and their eyes met as she approached him until they were in front of each other.

He stood there taking her in with his eyes tracing every aspect of her face and body almost getting lost in her beauty.

He then came to his senses complimenting her aloud. "Soo-ah you look beautiful, almost like a different person really."

"You don't look so bad yourself." she said giving him a mischievous but playful smile.

I looked between the two especially at Gokk do's expression, he looked as though he was about to devour her so I decided it was time they left.

"You two should get going." I said and Gokk do nodded, opening the car door for her before getting in himself. I waved at them as they pulled out of the drive way.

...

I was a little surprised to see the restaurant he chose for us to dine at.

There were cherry blossom trees and lanterns hung from the ceiling. It felt like I had walked into the Joseon era or something. The restaurant was actually situated outside, cleverly hidden from the outside world, disguised as a normal restaurant, however, it was when you walked inside that surprised you.

I loved the smell of peaches that continued to grace me the further in we ventured.

"Sagwa told you what I like, didn't she?" I asked as I took in the restaurant's beauty.

"She did, she even helped me find this restaurant just for you."

I nodded. "I admit, it's nice." I said meeting his gaze.

He chose a table furthest to the back, away from everyone else almost as though it was reserved just for us. He then pulled out a chair for me to sit in, I thanked him before I sat down, when we were both seated a waiter came and poured us some wine and gave us a menu.

"You can order anything you like, I heard you don't like the prearranged meals restaurants have, you prefer to choose for yourself." he said, wanting to confirm the information.

"You're right, but I think it's because I get to eat more since the portion size tends to be bigger." I replied making him laugh, when the waiter returned I ordered first. "I would like the steak with cream potatoes."

"I'll also have steak but without the potatoes." Gokk do said and the waiter nodded picking up our menus before leaving.

"So you ordered steak." Gokk do stated, puzzling me.

"Why is that so surprising?" I asked raising my eyebrow.

"Most girls would order salad and barely eat anything, which I thought was weird." he said with a flirtatious smile.

"Well, I hope you can afford me, cause I ain't one of those salad eating chicks." I said folding my arms and he laughed.

"So, Soo-ah I want to know more about you, I know we got off on the wrong foot and I want to make up for that and start over."

I took a deep breath before saying, "Sure, I'll tell you about my past and Jaemin as promised."

"Jaemin?" he asked puzzled at the foreign name.

"Sun-woo's father, remember? I said I'd tell you about him."

He looked confused for a moment but he soon recalled the memory. "Oh, right please continue."

"Well before you came along, 5 years ago there was someone else Kazuchika had trusted with his life, that person was Jaemin he was also the man I had given my heart to..." I told him my story exactly how I told Sagwa. "...and in the end I had to kill him." I finished.

"You had to kill the person you loved, that must've been difficult for you."

"For a while, yes, but it was an unavoidable situation." I replied reassuring that sad look on his face as he stared deeply into my eyes causing me to avert my gaze awkwardly, our dinner soon arrived breaking the the long silence.

First my order and then his. We began to eat continuing our conversation, sometimes laughing, until it was time for dessert.

When our night came to a climax we took a stroll outside which I enjoyed, I liked the cool night air blowing through my hair and on my skin, I instinctively took my shoes off so I could run on the sand, the beach was ten times more beautiful at night especially since the area was filled with lights. Gokk do ran to catch up with me. "I have one more thing to show you." he said from behind me as I started walking again.

"You've already shown me so much, what more is there to be seen?" I replied with a laugh, he suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me so I could face him, he then held his hand up to my face making a fist, making me look at him confused, before he opened it slightly dangling a piece of jewelry in front of my face. As the moon light hit it, it became clear what it was. "It's a locket, how beautiful." I expressed taking it into my hands starting at the butterfly in delight, he then took it from me putting it around my neck.

"It suits you." He smiled looking at me, at that moment I didn't know what came over me, maybe it was the wine, but I grabbed his jack and I pulled him down so that our lips could touch, kissing him and he embraced me pulling me closer deepening the kiss.

...

To pass the time I ended up playing games with Ian and Sun-woo which was really fun and eventually Lucas and Kazuchika came over and joined the competitive game of monopoly, we were playing with a five-year-old after all so the rules were altered.

I couldn't help but wonder how Soo-ah's date was going, my phone suddenly rang bringing me out of my thoughts and I got up from the living room floor to go outside to take the call.

"Yes."

"Goodnight Sagwa."

"Oh, Good night Hanseok, what's up?" I asked wondering why he was calling so late.

"We... have a problem..." Hanseok's voice sounded urgent.

"I'm sorry... what did you just say?!" I asked again in disbelief at his later words, which I failed to process.

"The Jewelry Box for the artifact has been stolen." he repeated, leaving me speechless.

...